Coupling for gas appliance



Nov. 29, 1960 R. B.- NEBINGER COUPLING FOR GAS APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Sept. 4, 1956 2 W x w x2 r 1| 4 l w M 1 M J22 yen 2302" yea"cfziiorzzeyfi Nov. 29, 1960 R; B, N BIN R 2,962,307

COUPLING FOR GAS APPLIANCE Filed Sept. 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEKS.

COUPLING FOR GAS APPLIANCE Richard B. Nebinger, St. Louis, Mo., assignorto Knapp- Monarch Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of DelawareFiled Sept. 4, 1956, Ser. No. 607,960 4 Claims. (Cl. 285-317) Thisinvention relates to a coupling for a gas appliance and moreparticularly to a coupling for connection to a source of fuel containedin a crown-type can. This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application, Serial No. 578,533, filed April 16, 1956, and nowabandoned in favor of this application.

There has been, recently, an increased popularity of liquid petroleumgas appliances, such as stoves, torches and lanterns wherein the sourceof fuel is contained in a lightweight disposable container, such as acrown-type can. One of the features of such appliances is that after thefuel of one container has been exhausted, the container may be discardedand a fresh container of fuel may be attached to the appliance. One ofthe earliest US. patents to show the general concept of a fuel burningappliance in combination with a replaceable fuel cartridge is Anderson1,721,844.

The instant invention is directed to new and improved means fordetachably coupling the liquid petroleum gas appliance to the disposablefuel container.

One of the requirements of such a coupling is that it be very simple'tooperate. Another requirement of such a coupling is that it be effectivefor insuring a non-leak coupling between the appliance and the fuelcontainer. Still another requirement of such a coupling is that it bearranged for cooperation with the existing features of crown-type cans,within which containers fuel has been effectively packaged.

Thus, one object of this invention is to provide a coupling which meetsthe aforenoted requirements and which provides an arrangement of partswhich effects a positive gripping cooperation with existing parts of acrown-type can.

One feature of this invention is that it takes advantage of the existingconstruction features of crown-type cans. In existing crown-type cans,the crown is so arranged relative to the top of the can that an annularportion ofsaid crown overhangs a portion of the top of the can andthereby cooperates to define an outwardly opening annular groove, orrecess, between said overhanging portion of the crown and the top of thecan. The instant invention provides a coupling which cooperates withthese existing construction features by providing portions thereof whichmay enter said outwardly opening annular groove defined beneath thecrown of the can, and which portions engage and cooperate with theannular crown to resist separation of the coupling from the crown can.

' Thus, another object of this invention is to provide a coupling for agas appliance for use with a crown-type can, which coupling isparticularly adapted to take advantage of existing construction featuresof crown-type cans to effect a simple means of connection between thecoupling and the crown can.

A further object of this invention is to provide a coupling forconnection with a crown-type can which is characterized by itssimplicity and inexpensiveness of con struction and by its effectivenessof operation.

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Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity inthe claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross-section view of one form of coupling ofthis invention connected to a crowntype can;

Figure 2 is a cross-section view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary cross-section views taken respectivelyon lines 44 and 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section view of a modifiedform of coupling, showing its connection to a crown-type can;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the coupling of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the coupling of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a cross-section view taken on line 9--9 of Figure 7; and

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the modified :form ofcoupling.

The device of Figures 1-5 Referring now to the drawings there is shown,in the form of this invention disclosed in Figures 1-5, a crowntype can,or container, 10 adapted for containing liquidpetroleum-gas fuel for usewith a gas burning appliance. The crown-can includes an uprightcylindrical surface 12, a frusto-conical top portion 14, an annularcrown or bead 16 at the upper end of top portion 14, and a cup-shaped,depressed central top portion 18. The central top portion 18 carries anormally sealed, but pierceable rubber seal 20 centrally thereof.

Depending from said rubber seal 20 centrally thereof is a tubular fuelconduit 22. The connection of rubber seal 20 to top portion 18 of thecan is generally shown, as the details of such connection form noportion of this invention. However, it is to be noted'that the rubberseal 20 extends upwardly above the top portion 18, and this feature istakenadvantage of in this invention, as will be hereinafter described.

The annular crown 16 on the can is so constructed and arranged. that aportion thereof defines an outwardlyextending, annular,overhanging-portion which overlies a portion of the can top 14 so as todefine an annular groove, or recess, 24 between said overhanging-annularportion and the top 14 of the can. This annular groove, or annularrecess 24 has a minimum diameter which is less than the maximum diameterof the crown, that is, the maximum diameter of the annular,outwardly-extending, overhanging-portion of the crown 16. This featureof the overhanging-portion of the annular crown 16 cooperating With thetop 14 of the can 10 to define an annular groove 24 therebetween is notnovel, although the existence of that feature is taken advantage of inthis invention, in a manner as will be hereinafter described.

Now, the appliance to which the container of fuel is to be attachedmaybe any liquid-petroleum-gas burning appliance such as a stove,lantern or torch. Regardless of the nature of the appliance, fuelconduit means are provided between the appliance and the fuel containingcan 10. Said fuel conduit means includes a stem, or tubular member, 26which carries a fuel-bleeding, apertured, hollow needle 28 which isadapted to pierce the rubber seal 20 and to enter into the bore of thefuel conduit 22, so as to establish a passageway for the fuel from tube22, through the apertured hollow needle 28, to the .gas burningappliance.

The novel coupling means between tubular member 26 and the fuel can 10will now be described. Said coupling comprises an annular abutmentmember, or frame member, 30 that is carried by tubular member 26 andwhich is shaped and arranged to overlie and engage the annular crown 16of the can 10, in the manner as shown. Furthermore, the abutment member30 is of such a dimension that it extends outwardly of the annular crown16, thereby defining an annular flange 32 located outwardly of the crown16. Said annular flange 32 carries thereon a .pair of pivot pins 34which extend from flange 32 in the direction toward the container top14. Pivotally mounted =on each of the pivot pins 34 is a jaw membergenerally designated at 36. Each jaw member 36 is so shaped and arrangedas to define a coupling portion 38, and a control 7 portion 40 therefor.

It will be seen that the coupling portions 38 of the jaw members 36 arepivotable on the pivot pins 34 so that they may be swung toward or awayfrom each other.

Furthermore, when the abutment member 30 is properly seated againstcrown 16 of the container, the coupling portions 38 are disposed so asto lie in a plane, and to be movable in said plane, in which the annulargroove 24 is located. Said coupling portions 38 have inwardly extendingflanges, or coupling elements, 42 defined thereon, which flanges 42 areadapted to move under the overhanging-portion of the annular crown 16and to engage the underside of said overhanging-portion of the crown 16so as to resist separation of the coupling from the container.

While the flanges 42 are shown to be arcuate and of a specific length,it is to be understood that their length can be increased or decreasedas desired, and their shape may also be varied within limits, andadditional flanges 42 can be added at various points along tthe lengthof the coupling portions 38 to provide any desirable number of points ofcontact between the coupling and the crown 16 of the container. It willfurther be understood that when the coupling members 38 are swung awayfrom each other the flanges 42 are moved outwardly beyond theoverhanging-portions of the annular crown 16, and when in this conditionthe coupling may be separated from the container.

In addition to the foregoing structure, the coupling member alsoincludes a washer, or annular member, 44 which has an internal diameterthat is greater than the maximum diameter of the crown 16 so as topermit entrance of the crown through the annular member 44 when thecoupling is being assembled onto the container 10. The annular member 44is carried by the abutment member 30 in spaced relation thereto. This isaccomplished by means of the pins 34 and a second set of pins 46 whichinterconnect the abutment member 30 and the annular member 44. Said pins34 and 46 are so shaped as to define enlarged central portions 34 and46' respectively thereon, which enlarged central portions serve asspacers between annular member 44 and abutment member 30. In the case ofenlargement 34, said enlargement also serves as a journal surface uponwhich the jaw members 36 are pivoted. The pins 34 and 46 have turnedover heads as shown in Figures 4 and which serve to clamp the annularmember 44 and abutment member 30 in spaced relation relative to eachother.

The dimension of jaw member 36 is so selected that the coupling portions38 thereof are sandwiched in the space between the annular member 44 andthe abutment member 31 to permit of reciprocable swinging of thecoupling portions 38 without any binding against either abutment member30 or annular member 44.

The coupling portions 38 are normally biased in a direction toward eachother by means of a compression spring 48 that is positioned between thecontrol portions 40 of the jaw members 36. The spring 48 may bemaintained in position, as shown, in any convenient way, such as bybrazing or welding the ends thereof to the control portions 40. Thecontrol portions 40 of jaw members 36 are merely upwardly extendingflanges which are adapted to be grasped by an individual, between thumband forefinger, to be forced toward each other against the bias ofspring 48, to effect swinging of the coupling portions 38 away from eachother so as to efiect a separation of the coupling from the container10.

The coupling is also provided with stop means for limiting the swingingof the coupling members 38 both toward and away from each other. Thefirst of these stop means is positioned for cooperation with the jawmembers 36 for limiting movement of the coupling portions 38 toward eachother. Said first stop means includes the enlarged portions 46 of thepins 46 which are positioned to be engaged by the reduced extended ends50 of the coupling portions 38, in the manner as best seen in Figures 2and 5. The abutment of the extended ends 50 of the coupling portions 38against the enlarged portions 46 of pins 46 serves to limit the movementof the coupling portions 38 toward each other.

The second of said stop means comprises pins 52 which are carried by thejaw members 36 and which extend downwardly therefrom as shown in Figure3, and which are positioned so as to abut against the annular member 44to limit pivoting of the coupling portions 38 of the jaw members 36 awayfrom each other.

In order to further insure a non-leak coupling between the gas applianceand the container 10 to which the gas appliance is connected, there isprovided means for engaging a portion of the upwardly extending portionof the rubber seal 26 to form a sealing engagement therewith. Thesemeans include the centrally located annular member 54 carried by thetubular member 26 and which is so arranged as to engage an annularportion of the up wardly extending rubber seal 20 to effect a seal atthe point of engagement, as is best seen in Figure 1.

The device of Figures 6-10 In Figures 6-10, there is shown a modifiedform of coupling. The container shown herein is similar to the containershown in Figures 1 and 2, and similar portions are designated by thesame number with a prime mark added. Thus, there is shown in the deviceof Figures 6-10 a crown-type container, generally indicated at 10'having an upright cylindrical surface 12', a frustoconical top portion14', an annular groove, or bead 16' at the upper end of top portion 14',and a cup-shaped depressed central top portion 18'. The central topportion 18' carries a normally sealed but pierceable rubber seal 20centrally thereof.

Depending from the rubber seal 20' is a tubular fuel conduit 22'. Therubber seal 20' extends upwardly above the central depressed wall 18.The annular crown or head 16' is so constructed and arranged as tooverhang a part of the top portion 14', and so as to define an annulargroove, or recess, 24' which opens outwardly. The foregoing constructionis not novel. However, the details of construction of the container thusdescribed are taken advantage of by the structure of the connector whichwill hereinafter be described.

Before describing the modified form of connector, it is to be noted thatthe connector herein is particularly for connecting fuel conduit meansto a container which has liquefied petroluem gases therein. Such fuelconduit means preferably include a valve body member 26 which carries afuel bleeding hollow needle 28 which needle is adapted to pierce thepierceable member 20 and extend downwardly into the fuel conduit 22' asshown. The valve body 26' carries a manually rotatable valve controlmember 27'. The valve body is internally recessed at 29 to a dimensionslightly less than the dimension of the upper portion of seal member 20,so that when the valve body is properly positioned on container with thetop portion 21 of seal 20' positioned within the annular valve body 26'as shown, then a gas-tight seal "is effected between top portion 21' andvalve body 26. At the same time, there is some compression of topportion 21' which also serves to increase the sealing engagement betweenseal 20' and the outer wall of hollow needle 28' along the surface 21a.

The modified form of the coupling between the valve body 20' and thecontainer 10 will now be described. As best seen in Figure 10, thecouplingcomprises six parts: an annular abutment, or frame, member 100,a pair of opposed jaw members 102, a pair of pivot pins 104 forconnecting-the jaw members to the frame member 100, and a spring member106.

More specifically, the frame member 100 is generally cup-shaped and hasa central depressed portion 108 which is of smaller dimension than theinner dimension of the containers bead 16. This permits of insertion ofthe central depressed portion 108 through annular bead 16' and serves toposition the connector centrally with respect to the container 10. Thecentral depressed portion 108 of the frame 100 merges into an annularlaterally extending flange 110, and then terminates in a downwardlyextending edge flange 112. The provision of the edge flange 112. servesto rigidify the entire frame member 100.

The jaw members 102 are pivotally secured on the frame member 100bymeans of the rivets 104 which connect to the'laterally extending flange110 of said frame member. More specifically, the rivets 104 comprise ahead portion 114, a journal, or shoulder, portion 116 of preselectedaxial length, and a connecting upset portion 118. The axial length ofjournal portion 116 is so selected with respect to the thickness ofmaterial of jaw members 102, that the jaw members may pivot withoutbinding on the journal portion 116, after the rivets 104 are upset. Theconnecting, or upset, portions 118 of the rivets are countersunk in thelower side of the laterally extending flange 110, so as to provide asmooth connection, and to eliminate any interference between the rivets104 and the bead 16' against which the flange 110 is adapted to abut.

Each jaw member 102 includes an arcuate coupling portion 120 and acontrol portion 122. The arcuate coupling portion is of generallychannel-shaped cross section and is arranged so that the legs of thechannel of one jaw member 102 extend toward the opposite jaw member 102.The upper leg 124 of the channel shaped coupling portion 120 is adaptedto be connected to the laterally extending flange 110 of the framemember 100. The leg 124 is shaped to define an ear, or enlargement, 126to accommodate the rivet 104. The upper leg 124 of the channel is thusarranged to overlie the laterally extending flange 110, as best seen inthe figures.

The lower leg 126 of the channel-shaped portion 120 is adapted to moveunder the overhanging annular bead 16 and into the annular,outwardly-opening recess 24' so as to be positioned to engage the bead16 to resist separation of the coupling from the container. The arcuatelength of the lower leg 128 is less than the arcuate length of the upperleg 124 so as to provide for the necessary clearance between the head 16and the leg 128 to permit of assembly and disassembly of the couplingand the container.

The control portion 122 of each jaw member 102 extends outwardlyrelative to the frame member 100, as best seen in Figures 7, 8 and 10.The jaw members 102 are so arranged that the control portions 122 aredisposed in opposing, spaced relation, and so that when said controlportions 122 are moved toward each other, the coupling portions 120 arespread apart to afford disconnecting the coupling from the container.

The spring 106 is a compression spring and is generally W-shaped, asbest seen in Figure 10. The spring 106 is disposed between the opposedcontrol portions 122 soasto normally'bias the control portions l22apai't,

and to correspondingly bias the connecting portions toward each"other-"The control portions 122 are so shaped'as'to define recesses intowhich the terminal portions of'the, spring 106 are positioned. The wallsof therecesses'130cooperate with the spring 106 to assist in retainingthespring 106 is assembled relation with respect to said controlportions 130.

It' will further be seen that the construction of the modified formlends itself very easily to simple production, since the frame member100 may be stamped from sheet metal; and similarly the two jaws members102 may be stamped from sheet metal, and the spring 106 may be formedfrom sheet metal. By preforming the rivets 104 as hereinabove disclosed,it is very simple to connect the jaw members 102to the frame member 100without any binding ofpar ts', and thus a very simplified form ofconnector has been provided. If necessary or desirable, the spring 106"can be further secured in position with respectto the control portions130 by spot welding, or thelike. i

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of thisinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to coverall'such changesand modificationsas fall within the true spirit'andscope'of the invention.

- What I" claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe'United States, is:

1 A coupling for connection to a container having an annular head whichoverhangs an outwardly opening annulargroov'e; saidcoupling comprising agenerally cupshaped frame member having a central depressed portionwhich merges into an annular laterally extending flange and thenterminates in a downwardly extending edge flange, said central depressedportion being of smaller dimension than the inner dimension of saidannular head, a pair of jaw members pivotally mounted on the annularlaterally extending flange of said frame member for movement toward andaway from each other, said jaw members being of generally channel-shapedcross section and arranged so that the legs of the channel of each jawmember extend toward the other jaw member, a portion of one leg of eachchannel overlying said laterally extending flange, and the other leg ofthe channel being adapted to move under said overhanging annular beadand to engage said bead to resist separation of the coupling from thecontainer.

2. A coupling for connection to a container having an annular bead whichoverhangs an outwardly opening annular groove; said coupling comprisinga generally cupshaped frame member having a central depressed portionwhich merges into an annular laterally extending flange and thenterminates in a downwardly extending edge flange, said central depressedportion being of smaller dimension than the inner dimension of saidannular bead, a pair of jaw members pivotally mounted on the annularlaterally extending flange of said frame member for movement toward andaway from each other, said jaw members being of generally channel-shapedcross section and being arranged so that the legs of the channel of eachjaw member extend toward the other jaw member, a portion of one leg ofeach channel overlying said laterally extending flange, the other leg ofthe channel being adapted to move under said overhanging annular beadand to engage said bead to resist separation of the coupling from thecontainer, resilient means engaging said jaw members and normallybiasing said jaw members toward each other, and manually engageablemeans carried by said jaw members for actuating jaw members to move sameapart to permit separating the coupling from the container.

3. A coupling for connection to a container having an annular bead whichoverhangs an outwardly opening annular groove; said coupling comprisinga generally cupshaped frame member having a central depressed portionwhich merges into an annular laterally extending flange and thenterminates in a downwardly extending edge flange, said central depressedportion being of smaller dimension than the inner dimension of saidannular bead, a pair of jaw members pivotally mounted on the annularlaterally extending flange of said frame member for movement toward andaway from each other, said jaw members being of generally channel-shapedcross section and being arranged so that the legs of the channel of eachjaw member extend toward the other jaw member, a portion of one leg ofeach channel overlying said laterally extending flange, the other leg ofthe channel being adapted to move under said overhanging annular beadand to engage said bead to resist separation of the coupling from thecontainer, a control member carried by each jaw member and extendingoutwardly relative to the frame member, said control members beingarranged in opposing, spaced relation so that when they are moved towardeach other the jaw members are spread apart to afford disconnecting thecoupling from the container, and a compression spring disposed betweensaid control members and normally biasing said control members apart.

4. A coupling for connection to a container having an annular bead whichoverhangs an outwardly opening annular groove; said coupling comprisinga generally cupshaped frame member having a central depressed portionwhich merges into an annular laterally extending flange and thenterminates" in a downwardly extending edge flange, said centraldepressed portion being of smaller dimension than the inner dimension ofsaid annular bead, a pair of jaw members pivotally mounted on theannular laterally extending flange of said frame member for movementtoward and away from each other, said jaw members being of generallychannel-shaped cross section and being arranged so that the legs of thechannel of each jaw member extend toward the other jaw member, a portionof one leg of each channel overlying said laterally extending flange,the other leg of the channel being adapted to move under saidoverhanging annular bead and to engage said bead to resist separation ofthe coupling from the container, a control member carried by each jawmember and extending outwardly relative to the frame member, saidcontrol members being arranged in opposing, spaced relation so that whenthey are moved toward each other the jaw members are spread apart toaflord disconnecting the coupling from the container, and a compressionspring disposed between said control members and normally biasing saidcontrol members apart, and said control members having recessed portionsinto which portions of said spring are positioned to assist in retainingsaid spring in assembled relation to said control members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS167,675 Koehler Sept. 14, 1875 1,578,504 Bronson Mar. 30, 1926 1,586,350Bramlette May 25, 1926 2,178,058 West Oct. 31, 1939 2,226,072 PolackDec. 24, 1940 2,683,484 Falligant July 13, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 717,318Great Britain Oct. 27, 1954

